PRIEST RIVER — A quick response is credited with saving a resident and keeping damage to a Priest River apartment complex to a minimum after a fire was reported Sept. 29.

The woman was pulled to safety through a window by a Priest River Police officer and a pair of Bonner County Sheriff's deputies.

"They pretty much put their lives on the line to rescue somebody out of the fire, and it was amazing," Priest River Police Chief Drew McLain told councilors at Monday's meeting. "Reading the report was scary enough, and watching the video, I was like, 'Holy crap!'" 

McLain said that after watching the officer's video of the rescue and the fire, it was clear the woman wouldn't have been able to get out without the help of the officer and deputies, one of whom is a former firefighter.

The trio's presence was a matter of being in the right place at the right time, with the officer coincidentally being in the area and the two deputies passing through town and able to quickly respond.

"Just by the grace of God," McLain told the council. "… It was just perfect timing and they were able to pull them out of the apartment."

West Pend Oreille Fire District Chief Jaime Painton said his team was on scene within four minutes of the fire being reported at 7:44 p.m. The district responded with four engines, a tender and a brush truck to fight the fire.

That quick response from WPOFD firefighters, as well as Priest River Police and Bonner County Sheriff's Office deputies, prevented any injuries, Painton said. Also responding were Selkirk Fire, Spirit Lake Fire and Bonner County EMS.

"Everything came together," Priest River Mayor Jeff Connolly said. "That one could have been way worse."

Connolly praised the first responders, saying their actions prevented the fire from spreading and saved lives.

"I just want to commend everybody," the mayor said. "The officer did a great job and the fire guys did a fantastic job."

Connolly also praised the collaboration between the agencies, saying the teamwork also contributed to efforts to keep the fire's spread to a minimum.

Also helping were smoke detectors, which had been installed and were working, McLain said.

"The only time I've seen anyone die in a fire is when there are no smoke detectors," the police chief said. "The smoke detectors work like a charm and they do buy you time. They were working here and they did alert everybody."

The cause of the fire is under investigation.